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Safety & Risk Awareness

Winter Safety

Grouse Mountain is your destination for winter adventure. In addition to first-class skiing and snowboarding, a full range of winter activities including snowshoeing, skating, sleigh rides and more await you at The Peak of Vancouver. 

Skiing, snowboarding and other activities that take place at ski areas involve the risk of injury. The information contained in the Safety and Risk Awareness section of this website is to inform you of the risks, dangers and hazards that you may encounter at a ski area and help you to stay safe while enjoying these activities. Whether you are a participant in these activities or a parent/guardian of a minor participant, please take the time to familiarize yourself with Grouse Mountain's Safety and Risk Awareness information.

FOR PATROL AND EMERGENCIES, CALL 604.998.4321

EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY - ASSUMPTION OF RISKS

The use of ski area premises and facilities and participation in activities at ski areas involves various risks, dangers and hazards. It is a condition of your use of the premises and facilities and your participation in these activities that you assume all risk of personal injury, death or property loss resulting from any cause whatsoever, including negligence, breach of contract, or breach of any duty of care on the part of the ski area operator. Your legal responsibility as a user of the ski area premises and facilities or participant in activities at the ski area is explained in the following notice, which you will see posted at the ski area. 

Download a PDF here.
Skiing and snowboarding involves various risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to the following: 
  • boarding, riding and disembarking ski lifts; 
  • changing weather conditions; avalanches; 
  • exposed rock, earth, ice, and other natural objects; 
  • trees, tree wells, tree stumps and forest deadfall; 
  • the condition of snow or ice on or beneath the surface; 
  • variations in the terrain which may create blind spots or areas of reduced visibility; 
  • variations in the surface or sub-surface, including changes due to man-made or artificial snow; 
  • variable and difficult conditions; streams, creeks, and exposed holes in the snow pack above streams or creeks; 
  • cliffs; crevasses; 
  • snowcat roads, road-banks or cut-banks; 
  • collision with lift towers, fences, snow making equipment, snow grooming equipment, 
  • snowcats, snowmobiles or other vehicles, equipment or structures; 
  • encounters with domestic and wild animals including dogs and bears; 
  • collision with other persons; 
  • loss of balance or control; slips, trips and falls; 
  • accidents during snow school lessons; 
  • negligent first aid; 
  • failure to act safely or within one’s own ability or to stay within designated areas; 
  • negligence of other persons; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF THE OPERATOR.

alpine responsibility code

The Alpine Responsibility Code provides the basic rules of conduct and must be followed by all using the terrain, and is consistent across all Ski Areas of Western Canada. 

Know Before You go

In addition to the Alpine Responsibility Code, here are some additional tips to keep you safe and enjoy your day on the slopes:
Weather 
  • Plan ahead for variations in weather. Dress appropriately, and have properly tuned gear. Warmth and visibility are key safety components. 
  • UV rays are reflected from the snow surface. Always wear sunscreen, and goggles or sunglasses, even on cloudy days. 
  • Cold temperatures increase the likelihood of frostbite. Dress warm, bring extra layers and keep an eye on exposed skin. Go inside immediately if skin begins to turn white. 
  • Take note of the conditions. When the snow surface is hard and fast, it is easy to ski/ride at high speed, increasing the risk for serious injury if you fall and slide. Be aware of changing snow surface conditions. 

Keep hydrated and carry a snack with you to keep you fueled. 

Ski with a buddy. 
  • Identify meeting points with your group in case you become separated. All group members should know where to meet should separation occur. 
  • Carry a whistle and be particularly cautious when skiing/riding in the trees. Tree wells are a real risk. 

Don’t over do it. Be aware of fatigue, many visitors are on vacation and might not be conditioned to ski/board long days. Warm up in the morning and stretch it out, then tone it down in the afternoon. 

Snowcats and snowmobiles may be encountered during operating hours. Give these vehicles plenty of space. 

Be aware of your surroundings. 
  • Be mindful of where you stop on the hill, for your safety and the safety of other skiers and snowboarders. When resting, move over to the side of the run. Never stop under a roller, jump, cat track, or on a blind corner, as uphill skiers will not be able to see you. 
  • Always be aware of other skiers and snowboarders. Look uphill before you commence downhill, and yield to other skiers and snowboarders.

HELMET USE

Grouse Mountain Resort recommends wearing helmets for skiing and riding. Skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to educate themselves on the benefits and limitations of helmet usage. The primary safety consideration and obligation under the Alpine Responsibility Code is to ski and ride in a controlled and responsible matter.

Glade (Tree) Skiing Tips

  • Only ski in glades that match your ability level and be prepared for variable conditions
  • Tree skiing includes quick short turns and may also include bumps, cliffs and other obstacles, so make sure you are ready
  • Ski with a friend so if someone gets injured the other can go for help
  • Carry a whistle – it is a lot easier to hear than someone's voice
  • Watch for daylight – it gets dark a lot faster in the trees than it does on groomed runs so don't enter as twilight approaches
  • Look where you want to go, not at the trees – your body will tend to follow your eyeline
  • Be aware of tree wells. These are areas of non-consolidated snow around the tree base which are hard to see and can be hazardous if you fall into one
  • Note: although Grouse Mountain has designated glade skiing areas, there are trees all over the Mountain. Ski and ride with caution any time you are in or around trees

Drones

Due to safety reasons, the use of drones by guests or members of the public, for any reason, is prohibited on or over Grouse Mountain property including the mountaintop, ski runs, facilities and surrounding area. Commercial drone use is also prohibited on Grouse Mountain property, except in limited circumstances. Please contact us for more details.